Potbelly Desk Stand Telephone with Strowger Switch, circa 1890

Artifact

Telephone

Date Made

circa 1890

Creators

Automatic Electric Company 

Kellogg Switchboard and Supply Company 

Strowger, Almon Brown, 1839-1902 

Place of Creation

United States, Illinois, Chicago 

Creator Notes

Telephone switch designed by Almon B. Strowger. Manufactured by Automatic Electric Company and Kellogg Switchboard and Supply Company, both of Chicago, Illinois

Keywords

Telephones 

Communication 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2008.0.14.42

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Nickel (Metal)
Brass (Alloy)
Bakelite (TM)
Plastic

Technique

Plating (Metal coating)

Color

Black (Color)

Inscriptions

On transmitter face: AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CO. / CHICAGO, ILL On dial: TO CALL / LONG DISTANCE / DIAL 110 / OPERATOR Plate in center of dial: AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COMPANY / CHICAGO, U.S.A. / PATENTED Cutout on switch hook: A On receiver: KELLOGG S. & S. CO. / CHICAGO, U.S.A.